After getting swept with absolute ease by perhaps the second best team in baseball, the Indians welcomed in the one team that is likely better. The Indians gave up leads of 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3 on the night before finally scoring once again when the Tigers had no shot to comeback....with a walkoff homer from Michael Brantley in the 10th inning. The IBI's Kevin Dean shares his second thoughts on the game...

Just what the doctor ordered. For a team that has struggled virtually all season, there continues to be one Tribe player that has remained consistent, and so smooth. Knotted in a 4-4 tie in the tenth inning, Michael Brantley gave the Indians their biggest hit of the year. Leading the club in both homers and RBI, Dr. Smooth added to his total launching a walk-off home run off Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque to give the Tribe a 5-4 win Monday. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the victory from the ballpark.

The Indians finally broke the losing streak on Monday! Can they repeat their winning ways on Tuesday? In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on how long CC Sabathia will be out of action, Alex Rodriguez's possible occupation after he retires, potential replacements for GM Kevin Towers, and more.

The Indians defense has been a hatchet job worse than the goriest of horror movies, and the offense is wildly inconsistent and lacks any punch whatsoever. Without a pretty solid effort from their starting rotation and bullpen up to his point, the Indians might be rivaling the Cubs and Astros as the worst team in baseball – though are dangerously close to that level anyway. The IBI's Tony Lastoria talks about the issues with the Indians lineup, why Jesus Aguilar should be given a chance, and more.

It was almost the same story every game. The Indians would take an early 1-0 lead, but that advantage would be short-lived as the A's bats roared back to not only take the lead, but put some distance between them and the Tribe on the scoreboard. 11-1, 6-2 and 13-3 were the finals of the three games with Oakland on top in every one. The IBI's Jake Dungan gives his thoughts on the sweep.

The Indians are digging themselves a very large early season hole. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the White Sox losing their MVP candidate, a DL stint for Washington's Gio Gonzalez, and more.

All winter, the Indians pushed the slogan "Unfinished business," claiming to have more work to do after sneaking into the postseason last year. Yet on the brink of summer, the Tribe sits in the unfinished basement of the A.L. Central where the workload continues to mount quickly. Sunday afternoon proved no different, as Oakland slammed Cleveland 13-3 to sweep the three-game weekend series. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

The ingredients presented to Cleveland and Oakland were very much similar: an entirely comparable number of baserunners, an entirely comparable set of circumstances. Yet the X-Factor separating the two teams on Saturday was clutch, the ability to score with men on base. The IBI's John Grimm notes clutch's importance yet its fickle unpredictability, and makes notes of managerial decisions as well as the strength of Cleveland's offensive contact to date.

Scott Kazmir wasn't too happy in his return to Progressive Field, but his team sure loves it here. Scoring six runs on eight hits, Oakland pitching continued to get the best of a stymied Indians offense Saturday, as the Indians fell to the A's, 6-2. It wasn't just a poor offensive showing either, but a lack of defense that continues to leave manager Terry Francona and his ballclub in limbo. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps another frustrating game at the ballpark.

It's getting pretty hard to watch Tribe games with this defense... In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on Tony LaRussa's new gig with Arizona, the Padres losing a key piece to their rotation, and more.

What started out encouraging quickly transformed into disappointment after Zach McAllister allows eight runs in the second inning. On a night when the Oakland offense hit more home runs than did the Indians had total hits, the night became a prolonged, sordid failure - one so Epic that it merits Iliadic parallels. The IBI's John Grimm breaks down the defeat with Homeric flair.

It's finally the weekend! In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on an injury to Joey Votto, injury updates on Jason Kipnis and Nyjer Morgan, Heath Bell found a new team, and more.

The Cleveland Indians today announced they have selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Kyle Crockett from Double-A Akron and have optioned right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus.

The 2014 season has been a comedown for Cleveland so far as the team has been below .500 after making the playoffs in 2013. As always there have been highs and lows for the team, but overall the team has gotten a few more negatives than positives. As always, Jim Piascik brings you a snapshot of each player's performance to date as he ranks the roster at the quarter mark.

Will the rain ever stop in Northeast Ohio? In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the process beginning to replace Bud Selig, an update on Michael Brantley, Hanley Ramirez is seeking an extension, and more.

In this week's edition of "Inside the Wigwam," IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim "The Birdman" Berdysz wonders if fans are starting to believe in the Indians again after a hot start to the month of May. He goes By the Numbers and gives the latest news and notes surrounding the big league club. John Axford out as closer? Don't miss Birdman's Final Call on Francona's tough decision to go to a closer by committee.

The Indians did something Wednesday they haven't accomplished since facing Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees almost 86 years ago. Tallying 15 runs on 22 hits, Cleveland blew past Toronto 15-4 to even up the three-game series in Canada at one game apiece. Six of the nine hitters in the Tribe lineup posted multi-hit games, including five-hit performances from David Murphy and Lonnie Chisenhall. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he gives his second thoughts on the offensive surge.

Corey Kluber continues to show his potential as a legitimate front of the rotation arm. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on a serious blow to the pitching depth in Texas, an injury to a key member of the Rays, and more.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!